Friday’s Children & the Law News Roundup

The new head of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), Mike Griffiths, plans to shake up agency management, the Austin Statesman’s Mike Ward reported today, reducing the number of top supervisory staff by as much as 20%, and has handed out writing assignments to agency leaders asking how they hope to fit in with the new management structure and soliciting suggestions for improving the agency.

September 18, 2012
Human Trafficking Film Series: “Black Gold”
Every Tuesday night during Human Trafficking Awareness Month, a different film will be shown. This Tuesday, we will be screening “Black Gold”.
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Venue: A 2nd Cup, 1035 E. 11th Street, Houston, TX, 77008, United States
Cost: Free

September 20, 2012 – September 23, 2012
Faith and Freedom Weekend
Our third annual Faith and Freedom Weekend will be September 20-23, 2012. Do your congregants or the leaders of your faith community understand what human trafficking is, that it happens in Houston, and that you can help end it? Join us to learn how you and your faith community can affect change.
Venue: Various Locations (see individual events), Houston, TX, United States

September 20, 2012
Faith and Freedom Weekend: Interfaith Anti-Trafficking Seder
Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition (HRRC) is partnering with the National Council of Jewish Women-Greater Houston Section, the Harris County AFL-CIO, the Jewish Labor Committee and the Justice and Peace Council of Christ Church Cathedral for the 2nd Annual Interfaith Anti-Human Trafficking Seder. All are welcome to attend this twist on the traditional Seder that will focus on the past and current struggles for human justice on a broader scale.
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Venue: Christ Church Cathedral
Phone: (713) 874-0290
Address: 1117 Texas Avenue , Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Cost: $25

September 21, 2012
Faith and Freedom Weekend: Film Screening of “Amazing Grace”
Our third annual Faith and Freedom Weekend takes place September 20-23, 2012. Do your congregants or the leaders of your faith community understand what human trafficking is, that it happens in Houston, and that you can help end it? Join us for a film screening at Chapelwood United Methodist Church!
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Venue: Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay, Houston, TX, 77024, United States
Cost: Free

We also heard nothing from the presidential candidates about another very serious children’s issue. Every year, over 3 million children witness domestic violence in their homes. But the very damaging impact of children’s exposure to violence went unmentioned by either presidential candidate (although let’s give credit to Vice President Biden for his impassioned support for the Violence Against Women Act). And despite the fact that 646,000 children experienced foster care in 2011, neither candidate mentioned child welfare, child abuse, child protection, foster care or adoption. That’s a shame. There is a clear government responsibility for those kids.

Twenty years ago, amid near-hysteria about juvenile crime, Michigan’s Legislature enacted a series of reforms that made it easier to brand a child delinquent and much harder to remove that label. Today, we are paying the price for that misguided policy.

NEARLY THREE months after the U.S. Supreme Court declared mandatory life-without-parole sentences unconstitutional for minors, the state’s Supreme Court justices heard suggestions for what to do about the 500 inmates already serving that sentence. But the only thing clear after Wednesday’s 90-minute hearing at City Hall: There’s no easy answer. A ruling could take months.

About Shiloh Carter

Shiloh Carter is working as a Graduate Fellow for the Center for Children, Law, & Policy. Prior to law school, Shiloh received her bachelor degree in Communications Sciences and Disorders from the University of Texas. As an undergraduate, she worked with children with special needs.
During law school, Shiloh worked as a scholar for the Center for Children, Law, & Policy and completed internships with Kids In Need of a Defense (KIND) and the Crimes Against Children Section of the Galveston County District Attorney's Office. In addition, Shiloh volunteers with Child Advocates as a court appointed special advocate and has completed four cases. She has received numerous awards for her dedication to public interest work including the Center for Children, Law, & Policy Napoleon Beazley Defender Award 2013, the University of Houston Law Center Distinguished Service Award 2013, the Ann Dinsmore Forman Memorial Child Advocacy Award 2012, and the Robert Allen Memorial Student Excellence Award 2012.

Contact Us

Center for Children, Law & Policy (CCLP)
Southwest Juvenile Defender Center (SWJDC)
Director Ellen Marrus, J.D., LL.M.,
George Butler Research Professor of Law
University of Houston Law CenterEMarrus@uh.edu